Christian Bale's Oscar-Winning 15-Year-Old Film Is Arriving on Peacock

The Fighter, which won Christian Bale an Academy Award in 2011, will be available for streaming on Peacock starting April 1. Released in 2010, this sports drama features Bale alongside Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. It follows boxer Micky Ward (Wahlberg) as he strives to break free from the shadow of his troubled brother, Dicky Eklund (Bale). The film received critical acclaim, earning awards for Bale and Leo while grossing over $129 million worldwide on an $11 million budget. Despite Bale’s continued success, this remains his only Oscar-winning role.

The film that earned Christian Bale an Academy Award in 2011 is about to find a new streaming platform. The Fighter will be available on Peacock beginning April 1.

Debuting in 2010, The Fighter is a sports drama featuring Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. Wahlberg and Bale play professional boxer Micky Ward and his older half-brother Dicky Eklund, a former boxer, respectively. The film is based on the 1995 documentary High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell, which showcased the Eklund-Ward family, and traces Micky’s quest to step out of his brother’s shadow and establish his own identity in boxing.

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Bale’s portrayal of Dicky Eklund was remarkable, showcasing the actor’s significant physical transformation. Due to his character’s crack addiction, Bale had to shed a considerable amount of weight for the role. Moreover, his dedication extended beyond physicality to his accent and mannerisms, resulting in critical acclaim for one of the standout performances of 2010.

The Fighter earned both Bale and Leo accolades for Best Supporting Actor and Actress at numerous prestigious award ceremonies, including the Academy Awards, the Critics’ Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The film was also nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars but ultimately lost to The King’s Speech.

Besides critical acclaim, audiences embraced The Fighter. With a modest budget of just $11 million, the film became a box-office success, grossing over $129 million globally. Audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes are predominantly favorable, with 89% of over 100,000 viewers reporting enjoyment.

The Fighter Remains Bale’s Only Academy Award-Winning Role

christian bale and mark wahlberg in the fighter — Image via Paramount Pictures

Throughout the years, Bale has established himself with iconic roles, including Patrick Bateman in American Psycho and Batman in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. Despite his ongoing critical and commercial success, The Fighter stands out as one of his most noteworthy performances and remains the only one to earn him an Academy Award.

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Following his victory for The Fighter, Bale has been nominated for three more Oscars but hasn’t won again. In 2014 and 2019, he received Best Actor nominations for American Hustle and Vice, respectively. He also garnered a Best Supporting Actor nomination in 2016 for portraying Michael Burry in The Big Short, a biographical drama focused on the 2008 financial crisis and the housing bubble in the United States.

The Fighter will be available on Peacock on April 1.

Source: Peacock